Release Detail

September 24, 1998 - D'Amato-Schumer Senate Race Is Neck And Neck,
Quinnipiac College Poll Finds;
New Yorkers Approve Of Clinton 2-1 And Say Keep Him

The U.S. Senate race in New York is neck and neck, with 44 percent of registered voters for Rep.
Charles Schumer, the Democratic challenger, and 42 percent for Republican incumbent Alfonse
D'Amato, a statistical tie, according to a Quinnipiac College Poll released today. Schumer gets
47 percent of likely voters, to 43 percent for D'Amato, also a statistical tie.

Sen. D'Amato's approval rating is 48 - 38 percent among registered voters, similar to his 51 -
39 percent approval in a June 18 poll by the independent Quinnipiac College.

Schumer's favorability rating is 30 - 11 percent, with 15 percent mixed and 42 percent who
say they haven't heard enough to form an opinion. D'Amato's favorability is 37 - 32 percent, with
21 percent mixed and 9 percent who haven't formed an opinion.

"D'Amato vs. Schumer is a squeaker as the campaign howls into action," said Maurice
Carroll, director of the Quinnipiac College Polling Institute.

"All those TV ads helped Schumer win the Democratic primary and increased his recognition
among voters statewide. But he has some ground to cover. We measured whether New Yorkers
have a clear impression of the Brooklyn Congressman, not just whether they've heard of him.
Schumer's image remains blurry with many voters.

"Since D'Amato's approval and favorability hit rock bottom when he chaired the televised
Whitewater hearings, he has proven himself `The Comeback Kid.' Can he keep this momentum?
Can Schumer bring himself into sharper focus with voters? Stay tuned for the next Quinnipiac
College Poll."

President Clinton's approval among registered voters is 67 - 29 percent, with no difference
among men and women voters. This compares to a 73 - 25 percent approval in a March 25
Quinnipiac College Poll.

If a candidate for the Senate or House of Representatives says Clinton should be impeached,
10 percent of voters say they would be more likely to vote for the candidate, while 37 percent say
they would be less likely to back that candidate and 50 percent say the impeachment stand would
make no difference.

Asked what Congress should do;

20 percent say Congress should impeach Clinton and remove him from office;

34 percent say Congress should censure Clinton;

41 percent say Congress should drop the matter;

4 percent are undecided.

By a 68 - 29 percent margin, New York voters say Clinton should finish his term, rather than
resign. Results among men and women are almost identical. Only 33 percent say Clinton "shares
the moral values most Americans try to live by," while 58 percent say he does not.

"New Yorkers to Clinton: Stay in office. New Yorkers to Congress: Move on, but censure
him if you must do something. New Yorkers to candidates: Fuhgettabout impeachment or we'll
impeach you," Carroll said.

"New York voters seem smarter than Washington politicians in distinguishing between
President Clinton and Bill Clinton. They approve of the President, but they don't like the man.

"Six years ago, during the heat of the 1992 Presidential Campaign, voters in New York, New
Jersey and Connecticut told Quinnipiac College that they would rather have dinner with Bill Clinton,
then the Democratic challenger. These same voters said they would rather have then-President Bush
baby sit their children. But in the end, they voted for Clinton -- twice."

From September 16 -22, Quinnipiac College surveyed 1,170 New York State registered
voters, including 574 likely voters. The poll has a margin of error of +/- 2.9 percent for registered
voters and 4.1 percent for likely voters. The Quinnipiac College Poll, directed by Douglas
Schwartz, conducts public opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut as a public
service and for research.

2. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Alfonse D'Amato is handling his job
as United States Senator?

12. If the 1998 election for United States Senator were being held today, would
you vote for Charles Schumer, the Democratic candidate, or Alfonse D'Amato, the
Republican candidate?

Jun 18
Tot Ups NYC Sub Rep Dem Ind 1998

Schumer 44% 36% 60% 37% 15% 69% 42% 37%

D'Amato 42 46 31 50 74 20 39 49

SOMEONE ELSE (VOL) 1 1 1 - 1 - 1 1

WON'T VOTE (VOL) 2 2 2 1 2 1 3 6

DK/NA 12 16 6 12 9 9 15 8

12. If the 1998 election for United States Senator were being held today, would
you vote for Charles Schumer, the Democratic candidate, or Alfonse D'Amato, the
Republican candidate? (Likely Voters)

Likely voters

Schumer 47%

D'Amato 43

SOMEONE ELSE (VOL) 1

DK/NA 9

15. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Bill Clinton is handling his job
as President?

Mar 25
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1998

Approve 67% 39% 87% 69% 68% 67% 73%

Disapprove 29 57 11 26 30 29 25

DK/NA 4 4 2 5 3 5 2

16. Given what you know right now, do you think Congress should: (A) Impeach
and remove President Clinton from office, (B) Censure President Clinton - that
is formally criticize him, or (C) Drop the matter.

17. Given what you know right now, do you think it would be better for the
country if Bill Clinton resigned from office, or do you think it would be better
for the country if Bill Clinton finished his term as President?

Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom

Resigned from office 29% 55% 11% 26% 29% 29%

Finished his term 68 41 88 71 69 68

DK/NA 3 4 1 3 2 4

18. Do you think Bill Clinton shares the moral values most Americans try to
live by, or not?

Mar 25
Tot Rep Dem Ind Men Wom 1998

Yes, shares values 33% 17% 48% 29% 36% 31% 41%

No, doesn't share
values 58 79 44 60 58 59 49

DK/NA 8 4 8 10 5 10 11

19. If a candidate for Congress or Senate says President Clinton should be
impeached and removed from office, would that make you more likely to vote for
that candidate, less likely or wouldn't it affect your vote?